From East Carolina, Earnest Byner was a 1984 tenth-round pick who came to Cleveland as an afterthought, but quickly proved to be one of the best draft bargains in franchise history. Possessing a hard-nosed running style and exceptional hands out of the backfield, Byner worked his way into the rotation as a rookie before bursting onto the scene in his sophomore season.

That 1985 campaign showcased his dynamic versatility. Byner teamed up with Kevin Mack to form a punishing backfield tandem, and both backs eclipsed 1,000 yards in the same season—with Byner rushing for 1,002 yards and catching 460. Beyond his raw production as a runner and receiver, his selfless pass protection and perimeter blocking made him an indispensable part of Marty Schottenheimer's offense.

Byner was instrumental in leading the Browns to the 1987 AFC Championship Game in Denver, delivering a heroic postseason with 187 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns. Sadly, the game ended in heartbreak. Cleveland trailed by seven and was driving to tie the game late in the fourth quarter when Byner was stripped of the ball at the Denver two-yard line. Known as "The Fumble," this moment became a lasting, painful chapter in franchise history, but it never lessened Byner's heart or the fans' admiration for his relentless effort.

After completing another season in Cleveland, Byner was traded to the Washington Redskins in 1989, earning two Pro Bowl selections and a Super Bowl ring. He returned to Northeast Ohio in 1994 for a second tenure with the Browns, where he served as a reliable veteran and offered leadership during the franchise's difficult move to Baltimore after the 1995 season.

Across seven total seasons in a Cleveland uniform (1984–1988, 1994–1995), Byner appeared in 105 games, compiling 3,364 rushing yards, 2,630 receiving yards, and 37 total touchdowns.  As a testament to his enduring popularity, Byner was chosen as a Cleveland Browns Legend in 2006.